The #owntouchway

Soccer players throughout most of world, grew up playing soccer in the streets - learning finesse, control and TOUCH

Soccer players throughout most of world, grew up playing soccer in the streets - learning finesse, control and TOUCH – all skills that improve confidence and performance. Here in America, we grow up playing on teams. Teams must focus on team tactics to win the next game. Own Touch turns that philosophy inside out and focuses on individual development. When players learn to develop their touch, they learn precision, which leads to keeping possession of the ball, which leads to opportunities to score, and ultimately... to win. Here at Own Touch, we are dedicated to helping our trainees master individual technical skills that will become engrained in their athletic memory.

OWN YOUR FIRST TOUCH (Technical Ability)

The first step of a player controlling their first touch is the ability to juggle a minimum of 100 juggles. Juggling is the foundation for players to learn exactly when, where and how strong to touch the ball with their foot, which enables them to keep possession. Juggling is a critical to developing confidence in one’s ability to control and trap the ball.

OWN YOUR LAST TOUCH (Speed and Decision Making)

The ability to control the ball while looking at other players allows one to identify options. Confidence in one’s control allows a player to evaluate multiple pass options or shooting opportunities. The same first touch that allowed one to own the ball and evaluate multiple opportunities, will also allow one to play a controllable ball to a teammate or, better yet, a ball to the back of the net. The better the first touch, the faster the next touch will be made. This is one of the key formulas for scoring goals.

Own your first and last touch and you will (1) be more confident, (2) your work rate will increase, and (3) you will get more opportunities on the pitch!

OUR PEOPLE

Own Touch Charlotte Mentors

Omar Badran, Mentor Director Charlotte

Omar was born in Beirut, Lebanon. After competing in numerous tournament in High School at the American Community School of Beirut and winning the Regional EMAC tournament in Cairo, Omar underwent an undergraduate degree of Exercise and Sport Science at the university of Manchester Metropolitan in the United Kingdom. Omar also played for Staybridge Celtic and Curzon Ashton among other clubs and competed in the UK’s most prestigious FA Cup during the completion of his undergraduate degree. Upon graduating, Omar signed for a professional soccer club in Saudi Arabia, where he enjoyed 3 fruitful years in the country's Premier division. Omar then moved to North Carolina to head up a Goalkeeper Development franchise to train goalkeepers of various ages and abilities to reach their full potential. He has also completed his F, E, and D coaching badges and aims to start his C license by late 2018. In 2017. Omar started the opening summer at Own Touch Charlotte and serves as our Mentor Director, facilitating consistent coaching standards with our growing and expanding staff.

Mentor bios coming soon.

OWN TOUCH SOCCER LEADERSHIP

Greg Simmonds, Founder and President, Own Touch Soccer

Before turning professional, Gregory Simmonds was his high school's (Sherwood High School, Olney, Maryland) first ever All-American athlete - the second is US National stand-out Oguchi Onyewu. He also still holds the record for goals scored at his alma mater, Howard University. Simmonds began his professional soccer career with the Hershey Wildcats where he scored 35 goals, had 16 assists and was named USL-1 Rookie of the Year in 1999 and Team MVP in 2000. Simmonds also played for D.C. United in the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 1999.

Simmonds also boasts international experience, having played with the Jamaican National Team youth and senior teams (Reggae Boyz) in 1999. Signed by the Miami Fusion in 2001, he tallied 4 goals and 2 assists in league and Open Cup matches. After the Fusion folded in 2001, he signed with Rochester Rhinos in 2002 where he led the team with 9 goals and 6 assists. In 2003, he played in 27 games with the Richmond Kickers. Simmonds played for USL First Division team Charleston Battery for the 2004 and 2005 seasons and was the team’s leading scorer both years with 18 goals and 9 assist. In 2006 joined Virginia Beach Mariners where he was team MVP after leading the team with 9 goals and 5 assist and being named to the league’s ALL STAR TEAM.

Simmonds finished his professional career with 75 goals and 37 assists, last playing for the Puerto Rico Islanders.

Simmonds retired from professional soccer shortly after he founded the Soccer and Futsal programs at U-TURN Sports Performance Academy where he served as Director for over 3 years. Simmonds then became the Co-Founder and President of Own Touch Soccer., as well as Co-Founder and President of FutsalRVA. Simmonds holds a US National A License Coach. FutsalRVA has produced four US Youth National team players from and currently has five US Youth Futsal National Championship titles.

Bob Jenkins, Technical Director, Own Touch Soccer

Bob is responsible for research, development, implementation, and management of training curriculum for Own Touch in efforts to continually improve and enhance training programs.

Along with unparalleled coaching experience and an impressive dossier of national credentials, Bob's knowledge and understanding of the game will be invaluable to the Own Touch Family. In addition to his time spent with the Richmond Strikers Arsenal Program, Bob has held various top-level coaching and administrative positions to include:

United States Soccer Federation (USSF) Director of Coaching Education

U18 US Men's National Team Head Coach

American University Men's Soccer Head Coach

University of Virginia Men's Soccer Assistant Coach

PUMA/Arsenal TCC Elite Coordinator

Technical Director for the Richmond Strikers

Bob also comes to Own Touch with a USSF Youth Technical Director License, USSF A Coaching License, as well as a National Youth License.

Joe Farrell, General Manager Own Touch Soccer

Born in Scotland, Joe is a former collegiate and youth professional player. Joe has had an extensive youth development career most recently serving as both Director of Coaching and Technical Director of Chester eld United, where he helped develop the structure and delivery of many youth grass roots and elite programs in Richmond for the last 15 years. Joe has also worked with the Olympic Development program, holds a USSF A license, a USSF National Youth license, a NSCAA Advanced National diploma, Director of Coaching Diploma, Higher National Diploma in Sports coaching and a degree in sports science.

Joe is a highly talented Director with energy and enthusiasm that impacts and inspires all who work with him. Joe brings a wealth of technical knowledge and youth development experience, and embodies the philosophy, passion and understanding of individual skill development that is so critical to youth soccer. Joe’s positive, infectious approach has made him highly respected and successful throughout the Richmond community. Joe has built a reputation of being a true player’s coach and Director, relating easily to the needs of players and parents both on and off the eld. Throughout his coaching career, Joe has had many successes in boys, girls and adult programs.

Joe, as General Manager concentrates on organizational, administrative and operational development of Own Touch. Joe collaborates with leadership staff, all own touch owners on a regular basis, to optimize operational strategy, process and planning.